88R2005 AJA-D By: Bell of Montgomery H.B. No. 356 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the civil liability of certain businesses in connection with allowing concealed handguns on the business premises. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 95A, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 95A.0002 to read as follows: Sec. 95A.0002. LIABILITY OF BUSINESS IN CONNECTION WITH ALLOWING CONCEALED HANDGUNS. (a) In this section, "license holder" means a person licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code. (b) A person with control over the premises of a business who allows entry on the premises by a license holder with a concealed handgun is not liable based solely on that permission for damages arising from the lawful carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises by the license holder. (c) For purposes of this section, the lack of an oral or written communication that constitutes notice for purposes of Section 30.06, Penal Code, is sufficient to constitute allowing entry on the premises by a license holder with a concealed handgun. SECTION 2. Section 95A.0002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, does not apply to a cause of action that accrued before the effective date of this Act. A cause of action that accrued before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.